Shackle line equalizer



Feb. 2, I B GQBLE 1,843,765

SHACKLE LINE EQUALIZER Filed Aug. 51, 1928 2 Shets-Sheet 1 Inventor.

BERT 6. (2054:.

\70711/ @a-mmv. Attorney.

2, 1932. B, G GQBLE 1,843,765

SHACKLE LINE EQUALIZER Filed Aug. 31. 1928 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor.

212 BERT 6. GOBLE.

v By

Jaw Atlom ey.

Patented Feb. 2, 1932 STATES" PATENT BERT G. GOBLE, OF TULSA, OKLAHOMA, ASSIGNOR TO W. A. QUIGLEY SHACKLE LINE EQUALIZER Application filed August 31, 1928. Serial No. 303,307.

This invention relates to. adjustable supporting devices for shackle rod lines whereby the shackle rod line will be raised and lowered the desired amounts at several points lli situated at increasing distances from the pump jack. Shackle lines, as those skilledin the oil field art know, are used to transmit reciprocating motion from a prime mover to one or more radially situated oil wells. These oil wells are usually pumped by means of Oklahoma acks, such acks raising the end of the shackle rod, which is pivotally connected thereto, upon each and every stroke. V The difficulty with the usual and above out: lined method of operation is that the end of the shackle rod which is fastened to the jack must partake of the vertical movement of the jack. Thus, this end of the shackle rod llne is bent out of the straight line in which the 20 main portion of'the shackle rod line reciprocates. This bending is rather abrupt and hence, since the shackle rods are under heavy pulling strain, causes a arring or vibrating motion whereby crystallization of the shackle rods results. This movement is extremely violent, especially in thepumping of the deeper oil wells, and the shackle rods vibrate noisily with detrimental effect along a considerable portion of their length. It is a common '30 occurrence in the oil fields to see shackle rod lines vibrating and trembling along a considerable portion of their length,

Now, my invention consists in the construction and arrangement of several adjustable length supporting means whereby the shackle rod is gradually and gently laid down to its bottommost position which is .a prolongation of the line in which the main portion-of the rod rcciprocates;

40 As will be later pointed out in connection with a specific application of my invention, it

is preferable to use two or more equalizers spaced at increasing distancesfrom the pump jack and the closest equalizer is so regulated 5 as to cause only a fraction of the vertical movement which is inherent in practically all pumping jacks and the second equalizer is so set or adjusted as to cause a lesser vertical movement than the first equalizer. The

59 third equalizer, if one is needed, is regulated bearing runs in a bath of oil whereby a long to have a still smaller vertical throw or travel. In this manner the shackle rod line is gradually laid down and practically all of j the slapping thereof eliminated. 7

Now, as the several points on the shackle rod travel different vertical distances, it is necessary to provide a means for causing this to occur and I have discovered an extremely simple but efficient adjustable support whereby such varied movements may be accomplished. This supporting means consists of merely an adjustable length rod pivoted to a base and fastened to the shackle line rod at a certain point. My discovery relates to this certain point which is so chosen as to utilize the portion of the circumferential swing about the base pivot which will give the desired vertical movement. In other words I chose that part of the circle in which the shackle rod clamp swings, which will give me the desired vertical movement.

' The position of this point on the shackle rod line is the controlling factor in the vertical movement, assuming the radius about which the shackle rod clamp swings to be constant. Of course the radius of the equalizer might be adjusted to change the vertical movement of the shackle rod line but this; is not practical since a base would have to be formed to a certain height. Another feature of my invention is the non-symmetrical reservoir of the bearing situated at the top part of'my equalizer. This lived unitis produced. Still another feature 5 of my invention is the two part shackle rod clamp which holds the shackle rod line firmly in place by means of only a single bolt.

Further objects pertaining to the details and economies of construction and operation of my invention will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

Fig. 1 shows a diagrammatic view illustrating my invention as applied to an ordinary pump ack.

Fig. 2 illustrates two equalizers applied to applicants improved over pull jack.

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view-of my entire equalizer in a partly exploded position. L00

Y is pivoted at the top thereof.

ilar parts throughout t'ic Referring now to Fig. 1 1 designates the usual triangu. frame which is pivotally m usual base 2. Shackle line 20 is pivotally' fastened to the frame by means of the stirrup 3 and this point of connection swings between the points A and B. In 1, C represents an intermediate position of the shackle rod pivot connection. Shackle rod 20, as shown at the right of Fig. 1, is supported by posts l, only one of which is shown. These posts support the shackle rod or shackle red line the entire distance from the last equalizer to their prime m ver or, in other words, the pumping power.

Equalizers are mounted on bases 5 and 6. The equalizer closer to the pump jack is set so as to take care of approximately twothirds of the vertical movement of the pivot point 3 and the other equalizer is regulated to move the shackle rod only about one-third of the vertical distance V. As will be seen from this construction, this end of the shackle line is gently lowered and raised to its extreme positions and all slapping and whipping is avoided. The equalizers are composed of main members 32 and 38 adjustably held in slidable relationship by means of clamps 37 and 38 and the clamp 21 This clamp is the means for connecting the equalizer to the sh ckle rod line. If desired, an extension member or angle, 24 may be clamped in be tween the usual slidable members 32 and 33. his might be necessitatedby a low'place on the earths surface.

Still referring to Fig. 1, D indicates the length of stroke of the shackle rod stirrup .3 and V indicates the undesirable vertical movement. Obviously, clamps 21, which fasten the upper ends of the equalizers 2 5 to the shackle line, must move horizontally practically the same distance, D.

But the vertical movement of V distance at stirrup 3 must be gradually eliminated from the shackle rod line which has little or no up and down movement above the post -l. l accomplish this by using the more or less flat portions of the circles about the several equalizers pivot points. The flat portions of the several equalizers radii are considered with reference to a horizontal plane or substantially the earths surface. That is, suppose that an equalizer operates from a vertical position to 20 to one side thereof. The vertical movement of the top of the equalizer will be small as it is operating on the flat portion of the circle.

N ow assume that the top of the equalizer is shifted along the shackle rod line and again connected thereto but so connected as to cause the equalizer to travel from 20 to one side of a vertical plane passing through the pivot point of the equalizer down to whatever point will give the necessary horizontal movement. Gbviously, in the latter case, the vertical movement will be much more than in the former. It will be noted that the radius of the equalizer has remained constant.

The horizontal movement of a shackle rod line is a function of the stroke of awell or the-throw of the prime mover.

The vertical movement of a shackle rod line adjacent the pump jack depends on the type of jack.

The vertical movement of the rod line at one of my equalizers is inversely proportional to the equalizers length. But, the vertical movement of the rod line is also a function of the portion of the arc traversed by point of connection between the equalizer and the rod line. Thus, by inventively' connecting my several equalizers to the rod line, regardless of the height of their supports, I obtain the desired vertical movements. That is, the farther the equalizer is placed from the jack the less will be its vertical movement.

As shown in Fig. 1 the equalizer mounted on base 5 swings between a point, H, which is directly above the pivot, 26, and a point,

G, which is a distance, D, to the right thereof and a distance, 2/3 V, below this point, H. These distances, D, and 2/3 V, are fixed as regards this point on the rod line. That is to say, this point on the rod line should move up and down ust exactly 2/3 V in order that the rod line may be kept as straight as possible and hence free from vibration. The dis tance, D, is, of course, a function of the stroke of the traveling valve and remains constant. 3

Now, referring to the dotted lines showing in Fig. 1, the base 5 is shown as being placed considerably lower than in Fig. 1. This might be necessitated by the contour of the land. difference to the proper application of my equalizer. The point on the rod line to which my equalizer is connected must move It will be noted that this makes no the same horizontal distance, D, and the same vertical distance, 2/3 V, as in the previous case. Hence, this pointmust pass through the points H and G. I erect a perpendicular line, 1 bisecting another line connecting points H and G, and hence the pivot point 26 must lie on this line.

Obviously, I may 1 is secured. As this is done the clamps 37 and 38 are also loosened and adjusted. Moreover,

the bolt 55 should be removed during this trial and error manipulation and if desired, it may be omitted during actual operation.

Fig. 2 shows my improved jack which has a length of stroke, K, and a. vertical movement L similar to the stroke shown in Fig. 1. The first equalizer is set to swing through that part of a circle which makes it upper clamp swing avertieal distance of. about three-fourths of the distance L. The second equalizer swings through a vertical distance of about onehalf L and is formed of two long sections due to the low surface of the ground. A post 8, with the usual slot therein, furnishes a guiding means for the shackle rod line which moves very slightly in a vertical direction as it reciprocates thereover.

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of my shackle line equalizer and my novel clamps and this figure shows the preferred form of my invention. The base bearing ournal 26 has a hole 27 extending therethrough as shown in F 3, 4 and 9, this hole providing a passage for oil whereby the outer bearing surface is kept cool. A base plate has a chamber 16 which serves as a bearingfor the journal 26 and also holds oil whereby said journal runs in a. bath of oil. The hole, 27, in the journal 26, also serves to enlarge the capacity of the reservoir for oil. Holes 17 are provided for the usualfastening bolts (not shown). This journal has one or more holes 28 extending therethrough, each hole being provided with a square boss 29 which prevents the head of the bolt 30 from. turning as the nuts 31 are, tightened thereon. An angle iron 32 hasholes in one end thereof correspondin to holes 28 in the bearing journal and bolts 30 are passed therethrough as iron rigid with the lower: bearing journal.

A similarly shaped angle iron 33 is bolted rigidly to the reservoir member 50, by means of bolts 3 seated in holes 35, said holes hav ing bosses 36 which prevent rotation of the heads of the bolts.

Angle irons 32 and 33 are placed together as shown in Figs. 3 and 8 and clamps 37 and 33 hold these angles firmly together. As these clamps are identical only one will be described in detail. Clamp 3'? is shaped as shown in Figs. 3, 7 and 8. Base 39 has an inverted U-shaped portion 40 formed integrally therewith. This clamp, 40, is made of a single piece of clearly shown in Fig. 3 and hold this angle metal preferably a casting. A hole 41 is cored or drilledthrough the base portion 39 and'a bolt .42 is loosely inserted therethrough and held in place by means of a. nut l3. A shoulder 44 prevents the nut 43 from rotation. Then the angles'32 and 33 are placed insideof the clamp-and the bolt 42 is rotated, thus pushing firmly against the back of the' angle 33 and firmly holding these angles' in any: one of a number" of positions, '5? within theirdesigned limits.

The reservoir member, 50, attached to the angle 33, has sides 51 and 52 which rise above the holes 53 and 54 and thus provide: an'oil reservoirforthe pivot orbearingbolt 55. $3

One of the sides, 5 l,is higher than theother side. -52-, thus preventing the oil from spilling out when the equalizer is in its usual inclined position as shown in Figs. 1- and 2.

Clamping means 21 consists of a female member 60 through which the bolt 55 passes. Member also has a square seat, 62, wherein the end 71 of the male member snugly fits. Members 60 and 70 are provided with juxtaposed triangular grooves 63 and 7 3 wherein the shackle rod line 20 is placed and firmly v held in position by an ordinary bolt passing through hole 74 in members 60 and 7 0 respectively. The hole 7 4 is enlarged to form a square recess wherein the head of the holding bolt is seated.

Operation In order to prevent the slapping of the shackle rod in a vertical direction it is necessary to apply means for raising and lowering the end portion of the same simultaneously with the raising and lowering of the pivot point of the jack and I accomplish this by clamping one or more of my equalizers at certain points on the shackle rod line relative to the pivot point of the equalizer.

By properly spacing one or more of my equalizers from. the pivot point of the jack the shackle red line may be made to rise and 119 fall a considerable vertical distance but such movement occurs in such a gradual manner that it appears to be very slight. As far as I know I am the first to apply any lowering and raising device to the shackle rod line ad- 'jacent the jack and hence, I desire it to be understood that the invention is in no wise distances from the oscillating end of the line,

the closer spaced equalizer swinging through an arc of a circle and the farther spaced equalizer also swinging through an arc of a K 0 circle but said latter equalizer moving vertically a lesser amount than the former equalizer, said equalizers consisting of bases, members, pivotally mounted thereon at their lower ends, clamps pivotally mounted on the member at their upper ends, said clamps being clamped to the shackle rod line at chosen points.

2. A system or handling a section of a substantially horizontal rod line which consists of fastening clamps at points along the rod line and attaching separate adjustable length means to raise and lower the clamps through different vertical distances.

In testimony whereof he afiixes his signature. V

BERT G. GOBLE. 

